Team Juggernaut Bodybuilder Jeff Tutounji Is Back

Quick Stats:

Age 26

Height 5’ 7

Stage Weight 180

How did you get started with bodybuilding?

From a young age, I have always been into sports. When I was a kid, I’d play basketball for hours on end on a daily basis. One day, while playing against a new team, I watched a 13-year-old – who was no taller than 5’3” – jump and grab the rim. Later on, I witnessed that same kid doing front flips and backflips effortlessly. That was absolutely mind blowing to me. I was instantaneously inspired; I wanted to learn how to do what he was doing.

We eventually became friends, and I learned that he was a gymnast. Once we started hanging out more frequently off of the court, I ended up going to the gym with him to see how he trained. I was 14 years old at the time, and I could barely do ten pushups. However, our gym routines became a regular thing, and it didn’t take long for me to grow stronger. Still, it wasn’t enough for me. The gym had a weight section, which we didn’t use because, as my friend had previously explained to me, gymnastics relies primarily on the gymnast’s own body weight for training. Our coach didn’t want us to lift weights, and neither did my parents (who remain against it to this day). Thus, we obeyed their wishes and refrained from lifting weights for a while.

My compliance was extinguished one day while I was training at the gym. On this day, I saw a real bodybuilder in the flesh for the very first time. I had seen bodybuilders on TV and in fitness magazines before, but never in person. He was moving weights I couldn’t even imagine being able to pick up as a 14-year-old. As intimidating as this man appeared to be, my curiosity and admiration overpowered my sense of intimidation, and I managed to muster up the courage to ask him to teach me his ways. The bodybuilder merely showed me the basics of his routine, but the results were visible in just a matter of weeks. I felt confident that I was on my way to sculpting my body to match that of my new role model. Unfortunately for me, life got in the way of my progress. My parents separated, and as a result, I had to move. This transition took an immense toll on me physically, mentally, and emotionally, as it ultimately forced me to essentially start from scratch while trying to manage living with only a father whom I didn’t even speak to.

By the age of 17, I had experienced a substantial amount of hardship. I desperately needed a getaway – an outlet that I could turn to that would ease the pain and stress that accompanied the process of dealing with my personal circumstances. Instead of turning to drugs, alcohol, or other destructive behaviors that most troubled adolescents typically fall into, I decided to find myself a lifting partner. Lifting weights began as a means of stress relief. I had an overwhelming amount of anger and tension to relieve, which, to me, meant that I should lift weights seven days a week. I made it a point to continuously push my personal limits and to lift the heaviest weights I could possibly handle. When I first started lifting weights, I was really scrawny, weighing in at no more than 155 lbs. Because of this, people quickly began to notice my serious mass gain. My peers would comment on my physical growth, and eventually, they began asking me for workout tips. This impacted my confidence level immensely and, ultimately, motivated me to keep going.

However, in 2015, I hit another bump in my road, and once again lost all motivation. I wanted to quit because I had hit a plateau; I was making zero progress and, because of this, I saw no point in continuing. Just as I was ready to throw in the towel for good and call it quits, I randomly saw a picture of Jordan J on stage. Jordan and I used to train at Powerhouse Gym; he was the same size as I was at the time. He went a way for a while and I didn’t hear from him. Then, he came back to the gym, shredded himself up, disappeared again, and then came back appearing to be about twice my size. At that point, I just HAD to ask him who his coach was. Jordan said he had been training with Carl Jackson. He gave me Jackson’s contact information and I immediately put it to use.

Where does your motivation come from?

I have always been very self-motivated and driven. I have never had anyone in my life push me to do anything. I’ve always wanted the best for myself whether that was my grades in school, athletic achievements, or business goals. Once I found fitness and realized that I could make something for myself in this arena, I set my sights on bigger dreams and goals!

What is your nutritional philosophy?

I have a lot of muscle, and my muscles need to be fed often! So I eat a lot of protein and incorporate it into each meal. For the most part, I opt for lean sources of protein, but sometimes I will have red meat. My diet varies greatly depending on my goals, but I always start my morning off with coffee!

Can a see a routine that has helped you gain the physique you have today?

What is your supplementation like?

Who are your heroes and sources of inspiration?

I had never once believed I was good enough to ever even dream of competing; I just wanted to take my fitness to the next level. The first time I met Carl, he took one look at me told me that I was ready for a show. Since then, I have never been more serious or motivated about anything else in my life. This journey has changed me as a person entirely. My life took a positive turn almost instantaneously since meeting Carl. He’s had such an enormous and intense influence upon me, and I couldn’t be more grateful. The support and motivation that this man has constantly provided me with is everything that I’ve ever needed to achieve my fitness goals and turn what was once just an innocent dream into my striking, unbelievable reality. I am currently five weeks out of the John Simmons show, and I have such strong faith in both his game and my hard work.

Favorite Quote?

“What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate.” – D.T.

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